Windscreen installation apparatus and method

ABSTRACT

Apparatus for use in handling windscreens for example for installation in a vehicle, includes a windscreen anchor assembly comprising a windscreen anchor device and a support arm extending away from the windscreen anchor device. A mount assembly is provided for supporting the windscreen anchor assembly. The mount assembly includes a mount structure for engaging with the support arm such that the support arm can slide bodily in its longitudinal direction with respect to the mount structure.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.13/882,810, filed May 28, 2013, which is the national stage entry ofPCT/GB/2011/052130 filed on Nov. 2, 2011, which claims priority from GB1018558.5, filed Nov. 3, 2010, from GB 1021286.8, filed Dec. 15, 2010and from GB 1102518.6, filed Feb. 14, 2011, all of which are herebyincorporated by reference in their entireties.

1. Field

The present invention relates to a windscreen installation apparatus andmethod.

2. State of the Art

Various apparatus enabling a single technician to handle a windshield,for example for positioning in the windscreen aperture or open frame ofa vehicle is known and disclosed in EP 1826044, EP 1923243, U.S. Pat.No. 7,610,666 and DE 202007016885. Such apparatus is particularly suitedfor use in situations of mobile use, where for example a singletechnician typically visits a vehicle that has a windscreen that needsreplacement. In such situations an apparatus that is convenient totransport and assemble and also easily used by a lone technician has asignificant benefit. However the apparatus of the present invention isalso suitable for use in a workshop or depot.

In both arrangements disclosed in EP 1826044, EP 1923243 and U.S. Pat.No. 7,610,666 a side window glass anchor is used to mount a pivotstructure to a side window glass of the vehicle. A windscreen securingstructure has an arm which is arranged to engage at one end with thepivot pin of the pivot structure on the side window glass anchor, andalso to carry an anchor for securing to the windshield. The windscreencan be manipulated for positioning by the technician supported at oneside by the technician and at the other by the arm mounted on the pivotpin of the side glass anchor. The anchors are typically pump actuatedsucker devices as known in the art. In the arrangement of EP 1826044 andEP 1923243, the arm of the windscreen securing structure is telescopicto enable extension. In the arrangement of U.S. Pat. No. 7,610,666 thewindscreen anchors are slidable along a rod comprising the arm.

The prior art arrangements suffer drawbacks in terms of complexity ofconstruction, weight and also potential for damage during their uselife. An improved arrangement has now been devised.

SUMMARY

According to a first aspect, the present invention provides apparatusfor use in handling windscreens for example for installation in avehicle, the apparatus comprising:

-   -   a windscreen anchor assembly comprising a windscreen anchor        device and an elongate support arm extending away from the        windscreen anchor device;    -   a mount assembly for supporting the windscreen anchor assembly,        wherein the mount assembly includes a mount structure for        engaging with the support arm such that the support arm can move        (preferably slide) in its longitudinal direction with respect to        the mount structure.

The entire support arm is designed to move bodily, in its entirety, withrespect to the mount structure and in the longitudinal direction of thesupport arm.

Therefore, according to an alternative aspect, the invention providesapparatus for use in handling windscreens for example for installationin a vehicle, the apparatus comprising:

-   -   a windscreen anchor assembly comprising a windscreen anchor        device and an elongate support arm extending away from the        windscreen anchor device;    -   a mount assembly for supporting the windscreen anchor assembly,        wherein the mount assembly includes a mount structure for        engaging with the support arm such that the support arm can move        bodily, in its entirety, with respect to the mount structure and        in the longitudinal direction of the support arm.

It is preferred that the engagement between the mount structure and thesupport arm is sliding engagement, preferably such that the support armslides longitudinally past or through the mount structure.

Preferably, the engagement between the mount structure and the supportarm is such that the arm may be lowered into an engagement position withthe mount structure, and also preferably raised or lifted out of anengagement position with the mount structure. The mount structurepreferably has an upper opening through which the support arm may enterinto the structure to be seated for sliding engagement.

The arrangement is beneficially such that the mount structure acts as aguide for guiding the sliding movement of the support arm.

In a preferred embodiment, the mount structure may comprise a yoke orsaddle structure having opposed upstanding sides or side elements forguiding and retaining the opposed sides of the support arm of thewindscreen anchor assembly.

In a preferred embodiment, the mount structure permits the elongate armof the windscreen anchor assembly to be rotated or pivoted about thelocation of connection to the mount structure. Beneficially, the mountstructure is rotatably mounted in order to achieve this result.

It is preferred that the elongate support arm of the windscreen anchorassembly is of circular cross section in the region of interaction withthe mount structure. This enables the support arm to be easily rotatedabout its longitudinal axis when engaged with the mount structure, inaddition to being slidable in the direction of its length.

In a preferred embodiment, the elongate support arm of the windscreenanchor assembly is an elongate rod. The support arm preferably engageswith the mount structure at a point along the length of the support armspaced from the opposed ends of the arm.

The elongate support arm of the windscreen anchor assembly is preferablyprovided with a stop inhibiting an end of the arm from sliding past themount structure. The stop may engage with the mount structure at oneextreme limit of sliding movement. In one embodiment the stop may be aspherical stop device.

In a preferred the windscreen anchor device is mounted in a fixedposition on the elongate support arm.

In a certain embodiment, the elongate support arm of the windscreenanchor assembly may be in two or more part form arranged to engage endto end.

In a preferred arrangement, the mount assembly includes a vehicle anchordevice enabling securing of the mount assembly to the vehicle. In apreferred arrangement, the mount assembly may include a side glassanchor device enabling securing of the mount assembly to the vehicleside glass.

Typically, the side glass anchor device may comprise a suction device,as may the windscreen anchor device. Pump actuation suction devices maybe used, as known in the art.

In one embodiment, the mount assembly may include an arm portionconnected at one end to carry the mount structure and at a second end toa rotatable mount comprising the mount assembly.

According to a further aspect, the present invention provides mountassembly for use in handling windscreens, for example for installationin a vehicle, the mount assembly comprising a vehicle anchor device forsecuring to the vehicle and an elongate arm extending from the anchordevice, wherein the elongate arm is rotatably mounted with respect tothe anchor device enabling the arm to be moved between alternativemounting configurations.

It is preferred that means is provided for securing the arm in thealternative mounting configurations. A brake handle, securing bolts orother mechanical means may be used for this purpose.

Beneficially, in the alternative mounting configurations the arm extendsin opposed directions from the anchor device.

It is preferred that the arm is pivotable or rotatable about asubstantially upright rotational axis.

In a preferred realisation of the invention, the vehicle anchor devicecomprises a side glass anchor device enabling securing of the mountassembly to the vehicle side glass. Beneficially, the vehicle anchordevice comprises a suction device.

Preferably, the mount is intended for use in combination with awindscreen anchor assembly comprising a windscreen anchor device and anelongate support arm extending away from the windscreen anchor device;wherein the mount assembly includes a mount structure for engaging withthe support arm such that the support arm can slide in its longitudinaldirection with respect to the mount structure.

It is preferred that mount structure is supported with respect to theanchor device on a rotatable or pivotable mounting to enable the mountstructure to be moved between a dropped down and a raised up position.

According to a further aspect, the present invention provides a mountassembly for use in handling windscreens, for example for installationin a vehicle, the mount assembly comprising a vehicle anchor device forsecuring to the vehicle and a mount structure for engaging with asupport arm of windscreen anchor assembly, wherein the mount structureis supported with respect to the anchor device on a rotatable orpivotable raising and lowering mounting to enable the mount structure tobe moved between a dropped down and a raised up position.

It is preferred that the axis of rotation of the raising and loweringmounting is substantially horizontal.

Preferably, an elongate arm extends from the anchor device and the axisof rotation of the mounting is substantially aligned with or parallel tothe longitudinal direction of the arm.

Beneficially, an elongate arm extends away from the raising and loweringmounting to the mount structure which is spaced from the raising andlowering mounting.

It is preferred that the raising and lowering mounting is rotatable inan index-wise between a series of successively rotationally spacedpositions.

The arrangement preferably includes securing means for securing theraising and lowering mounting in the desired position.

In a preferred embodiment, the raising and lowering mounting may beprovided in series with a side to side rotational mounting enabling themount structure to be moved from side to side.

According to an alternative aspect, the invention provides apparatus foruse in handling windscreens for example for installation in a vehicle,the apparatus comprising a windscreen anchor assembly comprising awindscreen anchor device and an elongate support arm extending away fromthe windscreen anchor device, the elongate arm being dismantle-able intomore than one piece for stowage, the anchor device and a dismantled armpart being provided with means for attaching to one another for stowage.

It is preferred that, in the stowed configuration, the dismantled armpart attached to the windscreen anchor device and a remaining fixed armpart, are of approximately the same length.

It is preferred that, in the stowed configuration the dismantled armpart attached to the windscreen anchor device and a remaining fixed armpart, are arranged in substantially side by side relationship.

Beneficially, the two arm parts are provided with complementary endconnections to enable connection together, and the end connection of thedismantle-able arm part is used to connect with a complementaryconnection provided on the anchor device.

According to an alternative aspect, the invention provides a method ofinstalling a windscreen in a vehicle the method comprising:

-   -   setting in position a windscreen anchor assembly comprising a        windscreen anchor device secured to the windscreen and an        elongate support arm extending away from the windscreen anchor        device;    -   setting in position a mount assembly for supporting the        windscreen anchor assembly, wherein the mount assembly includes        a mount structure for engaging with the support arm;    -   engaging the support arm with the mount structure at a point        along the length of the support arm spaced from the opposed ends        of the arm such that the support arm can slide in its        longitudinal direction with respect to the mount structure in        order to position the windscreen in the vehicle windscreen        opening.

Specific embodiments of the invention will now be further described, byway of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of exemplary apparatus inaccordance with the invention.

FIG. 2 is a view similar to the view of FIG. 1 showing the apparatus ina limited movement position.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a slightly different embodiment ofapparatus in accordance with the invention.

FIGS. 4 and 5 are side and end views of the embodiment of FIG. 3.

FIG. 6 is a schematic view of the windscreen support assembly with thesupport arm separated in-two.

FIG. 7 is a schematic sectional view showing the connection between thetwo pieces of the support arm of the arrangement of FIG. 5.

FIGS. 8A and 8B are perspective sectional views showing the connectionof FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is a perspective expanded view of an alternative embodiment ofanchor device for apparatus in accordance with the invention;

FIGS. 10a to 10c are views of an alternative embodiment of windscreenanchor device for apparatus in accordance with the invention (showingthe two-piece support rod arrangement in a stowed configuration);

FIGS. 11a to 11c are views of an alternative embodiment of windscreenanchor device for apparatus in accordance with the invention (showingthe two-piece support rod arrangement in a stowed configuration);

FIG. 12 is a schematic perspective view of an alternative embodiment ofanchor device for implementation of the invention;

FIGS. 13 and 14 are detailed views of the apparatus of FIG. 12 inalternate configurations;

FIGS. 15 and 16 are schematic views of an alternative embodiment ofwindscreen anchor device for implementation of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to the drawings, and initially to FIGS. 1 and 2, there isshown windscreen installation apparatus 1 in the form of windscreenanchor assembly 2 cooperating with a side window mount assembly 3 whichin the embodiment shown is arranged to be mounted to a side window of avehicle as in the prior art arrangement disclosed in EP 1923243.

The side window mount assembly 3 is generally similar to the arrangementdisclosed in EP 1923243 (Particularly FIG. 11 of that document) andcomprises a swing arm 4 rotatably mounted to a connecting arm 5 by meansof a pivot hub 7.

The connecting arm 5 has a bracket 8 which connects to a pump actuatedsucker device 9 which, when pump actuated, grips onto the side window ofthe vehicle to mount the mount assembly 3. The bracket 5 is capable ofbeing released from a locking position to pivot downwardly, whenrequired, to finally position the windscreen in the window aperture ofthe vehicle. This facility is described in the prior art disclosure ofEP 1923243.

The mount assembly 3 differs substantially from the arrangement shown inEP 1923243 in that in place of a pivot rod (or pin as disclosed in U.S.Pat. No. 7,610,666) an improved mount structure 11 is provided having aU-shaped mount structure (that could be as described as a yoke, rollockor saddle structure) having opposed upstanding sides 11 a, 11 b and anopen upper portion 11 c. The mount structure 11 is rotatably mounted tothe spar 12 extending upwardly from the swing arm 4 such that themounting structure 11 can rotate about an upright or vertical axisdefined by spar 12.

The windscreen anchor assembly 2 comprises a pump action vacuum suckerdevice 14 similar to the device 9 which is mounted by a bracket 15 to anelongate rigid support arm rod 16. The end of the support arm rod 16distal from the suction device 14 is provided with a spherical stopmember 17. The rod is of two-part construction arranged to be connectedat a fixing joint 18 partway along the length.

As can be seen from the drawings, the support arm rod 16 can be loweredinto the mount structure 11 via the open upper portion 11 c to bereceived between the upstanding walls 11 a, 11 b. In this position thesupport arm rod 16 engages with the mounting structure 11 between theopposed ends of the rod 16 such that the rod 16 can slide lengthwise incontact with the base of the U-shaped mount structure 11 whilstremaining supported in the mount structure 11. The support arm rod 16moves bodily, in its entirety, in the longitudinal direction of the rod(arrow A of FIG. 2) through and past the mount structure 11. The mountstructure 11 can also rotate on its rotatable mounting 7 with respect tothe spar 12 (arrow B in FIG. 2) and in addition because the rod 16 is ofgenerally circular cross section the rod can also rotate about its ownaxis seated on the mounting structure 11 (arrow C in FIG. 2). In FIG. 2the apparatus is shown with the elongate support arm rod 16 extended toits limit position in one direction in which the spherical stop member17 is approaching contact with the side of the mount structure 11. Thespherical stop member 17 therefore prevents the elongate support arm 16from being slidingly moved out of engagement with the mount structure11.

The mount structure could include a pulley wheel or roller mounted forrotation and upon which the support arm rests for sliding movement. Inmost situations however sliding directly on the mounting structure issufficient.

In use the side window mount assembly 3 is mounted to the side window ofthe vehicle, and the windscreen anchor assembly 2 is mounted to thewindscreen in a similar manner to the arrangement disclosed in the priorart EP 1826044, EP 1923243 and also U.S. Pat. No. 7,610,666.

It is then necessary for a technician undertaking the operation to lowerthe support arm rod 16 into position in which the support arm rod 16 isreceived somewhere along its length intermediate the upstanding walls 11a, 11 b of the mount structure 11.

The arrangements disclosed in the prior art documents EP 1826044, EP1923243 and also U.S. Pat. No. 7,610,666 require the technician toposition the aperture of the windscreen anchor assembly over themounting pin on the side window mount. This is difficult to do at adistance when holding the full combined weight of the windscreen andsupport apparatus. The present invention provides an improvement overthe prior art in that targeting of the engagement between the supportarm 16, and the mount structure 11 is significantly more straightforwardand requires less fine targeting than positioning of the engagement pinand aperture in the prior art.

When positioned, such that the support rod 16 is received in the mountstructure 11, manipulation for positioning of the windscreen by thetechnician is also readily achieved because of the multi-directionalmovement facilitated by moving bodily the support rod, by slidingrelative to the mount structure 11; rotation of the support rod 16 aboutits own axis; and also the facility for the mount structure 11 to rotatealong the vertical axis defined by the upright spar 12. Additionally,the support arm rod 16 can pivot in the vertical plane about the mountstructure 11.

In view of the fact that there are no engineered bearings constrainingmovement of the support arm rod 16 (compared to the engineered supportblocks 68 of U.S. Pat. No. 7,610,666) or the telescopic arrangementdisclosed in EP 1826044, the device of the present invention can belighter in weight and also more robust than the prior art devices. Forexample, if the support arm rod 16 of the windscreen anchor assembly ofthe present invention were to be damaged by becoming dented, bent to aslight degree, then operation of the device would not be significantlyimpaired. The apparatus would still work satisfactorily, the support armrod 16 sliding in a satisfactory manner in the mount structure 11enabling perfectly satisfactory use to be achieved.

Compare this to the potential for damage to the telescoping rod of EP1826044 or EP1923243 which could easily result in the inability tocontinue to use the telescoping device. Similarly, potential damage tothe rod upon which the bearings carrying the sucker devices of U.S. Pat.No. 7,610,666 may also result in an arrangement that could easily becomeinoperable.

As shown most clearly in FIG. 3, the support arm 18 may be provided witha friction or resistance portion 35 which is arranged to slide lesseasily past the mount structure 11. When the friction portion 35contacts the mount structure 11 the increased friction means that theswing arm 4 will more readily pivot about pivot arm 107. The frictionportion 35 can be used in this way and when the user desires the highfriction portion 35 should pass through the mount 11, an additional pushor nudge can be given to the rod 16 to move the friction portion pastthe mount 11.

The high friction portion can be a relatively higher friction materialor component secured at the desired position along the length of therod, or alternatively could, for example, be a knurled portion of therod. Additionally, or alternatively, a change in rod section or stepcould provide such a facility, for example, being a waisted section, ora step section in the diameter of the rod. The higher friction or stepsection is typically provided relatively close to the stop member 17 endof the rod 16.

The support arm rod 16 of the present apparatus can be dismantled by theconnection joint 18. As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 a connector portion 20 ofthe first part of the rod 16 a is received within a female connector 21of a second rod part 16 b. The connector portion 20 includes an insert24 into the interior of rod portion 16 a, the insert 24 having a collar25 receiving an insert 26 which has an external screw thread.

The connector 21 has a female insert 27 which receives a further insert28 having an internal threaded bore 31 for mating with the threadedinsert 26. A bearing portion 29 is provided for close fitting engagementwith the collar 25. This provides for rigid connection by screw threadand also that any bending motion is taken up in contact between thecollar 25 and the bearing surface 29.

FIGS. 15 and 16 show an alternative arrangement for two parts 416 a and416 b of the windscreen anchor rod 416. In this embodiment, the part 416b which is provided with end stop member 417 is also provided with amale connector 420 having an engagement pin 426 extending outwardly froman engagement collar 425. The engagement pin is a component having apair of spring mounted detents 424 which are capable of being biasedfrom a ‘normal’ externally projecting position as shown in FIGS. 15 and16 to a position in which the detents are retracted to lie flush withthe outer surface of the anchor rod 416 b. A retraction mechanismcomprises a retraction rod 492 which extends along the entire length ofthe anchor rod 416 b and through a bar 495 in the end stop member 417 toan actuator end 493 which projects into a recess 494 in the end stopmember 417. Pressing the actuator rod end 493 causes the retraction rod492 to move and actuate a mechanism internally of the pin 426 to retractthe detents 424.

The female connector end 421 of the rod part 416 a is provided with acollar insert 428 arranged to provide an abutment surface againstengagement collar 425 or rod part 16 b. the surfaces 425 and 428 aretapered to improve the engagement fit between the two parts. The collarinsert 428 has a constriction 427 arranged to permit the engagement pin426 to extend therethrough, but only if the detents 424 are retracted.When the pin 426 is inserted past the constriction 427 and the detentsare allowed to spring back outwardly, the pin is secured and the twoparts 416 a and 416 b are connected.

The arrangement enables the user to connect and disconnect the two rodparts 416 a, 416 b by pressing the actuator end 493 at the stop member417 end of the rod in a quick and convenient manner.

In FIG. 9 an alternative embodiment of side window anchor assembly 103is shown which can be used to replace the side window anchor assembly 3of the preceding figures. In this embodiment modifications have beenmade to provide further advantageous technical enhancements to thedevice. In particular, in the embodiments shown the connecting arm 105is mounted to the pump actuated sucker device 109 via a mounting boss160 which is rotatably mounted to the bracket 108. The bracket 108 maybe provided with a mounting spigot (not shown) upon which the centralbore 161 of the sucker boss 160 is received. The connecting arm 105 canpivot between two extreme positions (for example 180 degrees apart) toextend either in the direction shown in FIG. 9 away from the suckerdevice 109, or in the opposite direction. This enables the side windowanchor assembly 103 to be set up so as to be mounted either to thepassenger side window or the driver side window depending upon theuser's preference.

When the arm 105 is pivoted to the required orientation during set up(or prior to set up) the arm 105 can be secured in the requiredposition. This may be achieved by use of a clamping cap 170 to besecured with bolts mounted on top of the sucker boss 160. Alternativelythe mounting spigot (not shown) on which the bore 161 sits may have anupper threaded portion which can thread into a portion in the capenabling the cap to rotationally clamp down on the boss 160 to secure itin the required position. Clearly, various means for securing the suckerboss 160 in position can be envisaged. The important fact is that thearm 105 can be pivoted to extend in either of two opposed directionsaway from the sucker device 109.

In the arrangement of the preceding figures, the spar 12 is providedwith a pivot hub 7 which permits the swing arm 4 to pivot side to sideabout a vertical axis. Similarly, in the arrangement of FIG. 9 a pivothub 107 is provided which is rotatable about the vertical axis Xenabling the swing arm 104 to correspondingly pivot via its connectionto the pivot hub 107 in a side to side fashion. However, in thearrangement of FIG. 9 additionally spar 112 comprises a raising andlowering index hub 150 which is rotatable about the longitudinal axis ofthe connecting arm 105. This provides for raising and lowering of themount 111. In order to achieve this, a plate 193 is secured to theconnecting arm 105 and a brake disc 195 and index wheel 180 is mountedon the arm 105. The index wheel 180 has a series of peripheral indexrecesses or apertures to receive the end of an index pin 190. The indexwheel rotates within a cylindrical housing 155 formed on the index hub150. The index wheel 180 and the disc 195 are clamped tightly betweenthe housing 155 and the plate 193. The housing 155 also holds the indexpin 190. The index pin 190 is spring loaded and can be pulled out ofengagement with the index recesses on the index wheel 180 to permit theindex hub to be rotated about the axis of the connecting arm 105. Whenthe desired position is reached the index pin can be released andreturns into engagement with the index wheel securing the index hub inthe required position, rotationally oriented with respect to the axis ofthe connecting arm 105. A cam and handle arrangement 175 includes a cam176 which is received in a slot 178 in the index wheel 180 for fineadjustment of the index wheel to ensure that the index pin can fullyengage in the relevant selected index recess in the index wheel 180.This angular adjustment of the index hub 150 with respect to theorientation of the axis of the connecting arm 105 is useful in settingup the device in the appropriate position in the field on the sidewindow of the vehicle.

Furthermore, this feature can be used in order to ease lowering of theedge of the windscreen into position. In this case, with the userholding the rod 16 close to the end stop 17, the index pin 190 can bereleased and the mounting structure 111 can be rotated downwardly(direction of arrow Y) so as to no longer provide a hindrance to theedge of the glass being lowered into the vehicle windscreen aperture.The prior art achieves this effect in a significantly different way inthat the present arrangement provides an advantageous means of achievingthis which is effectively designed into the side window anchor assembly.The arrangement of the present invention effectively provides arotatable or pivotable mounting to enable the mounting structure 111 tobe moved between a dropped down and a raised up position.

The pivot hub 107 is provided with a receiving aperture 196 forreceiving a securing pin 198 providing that the arm 104 can be fixed toprevent rotation about the vertical axis X should this be required, orpreferred, for particular circumstances of operation.

In FIGS. 12 to 14, a further alternative embodiment of side windowanchor assembly 303 is shown which can be used in place of the sidewindow anchor assemblies of the previously described embodiments. Theside window anchor assembly 303 is generally more similar to thearrangement 103 of FIG. 9 in that it can be adapted for use on passengeror driver side glass (by reversing the direction of connecting arm 305)and a raising and lowering index hub 350 is provided to enable the swingarm pivot hub 307 to pivot about the longitudinal axis of the connectingarm 305 (in the direction of arrow X in FIG. 12).

In this embodiment, the raising and lowering index hub 350 is providedat the sucker device 309 side of the connecting arm 305, being mountedto the sucker bracket 308. The connecting arm 305 is mounted to have anend rotationally mounted in an end bearing 327 secured to a mountingplatform 330 by a frame 357. The frame 357 has an internal surfaceprovided with an arcuate geared rail 372, a locking gear 380 and lockingcam 376 assembly mounted to the end of the connection arm 305. Thelocking gear 380 is fixed to rotate with the end of the connecting arm305, the locking cam 376 is rotatable and connected to an actuationhandle 392. The locking cam 376 is provided with a cam recess 377radially positioned adjacent the cam handle 392. When the cam handle 392is turned to the horizontal positions (as shown in FIG. 13) the camrecess 377 is not adjacent the locking gear 380 and the locking gear 380is forced upwardly into engagement with the gear rail 372 by the camportion of the locking cam 376. The gear teeth of the rail 372 andlocking gear 380 are in meshed engagement in this position, and the arm305 is held against rotation. The locking gear 380 is constrained tomove linearly only. When the cam handle 392 is turned to the verticalposition (as shown in FIG. 14) the cam recess 377 is adjacent thelocking gear 380 and the locking gear drops down into the cam recess 377(a biasing spring—not shown—is provided for this purpose). With thelocking gear 380 in the dropped down position, gear teeth of the rail372 and locking gear 380 are out of meshed engagement, and theconnecting arm 305 can rotate in its mounting bearing 327 (arrow X inFIG. 12) enabling the swing arm pivot hub 307 to provide the drop downfacility for the mount 111. As shown in FIG. 15, the locking gear 380and locking cam both rotate with the connecting arm 305. The lockinggear 380 can engage with the fixed gear rail 372 over a range of angularorientations. This enables the technician to adjust the position for setup on different vehicles. The rotatable bearing 327 may be provided witha damping arrangement to damp the motion of the connecting arm 305. Thisprevents uncontrolled drop down and the risk of damage to the vehicle.

In the embodiment of FIGS. 13 to 15, the side window anchor assembly canbe reversed for use on the opposed side of the vehicle by unfasteningthe mounting platform 330 and reversing the mounting position through180 degree and re-securing to the bracket 308. Typically mounting screwsor bolts are provided for this purpose.

As described earlier, the windscreen support rod 16 is provided intwo-part form with a connection joint 18. In the arrangement shown inFIGS. 10a and 10b the windscreen anchor assembly 202 has the ability todismantle to enable storage with the support rod 116 dismantled into itsseparate parts 216 a and 216 b. The fixed, distal end of the rod 216 aextends outwardly from the sucker device 214 via a plastic mouldingshroud 276. The female connector 221 at the end of the rod part 216 b isarrangement to cooperatively releasably engage with a receiving socket285 mounted to the suction device mounting bracket 215. The receivingsocket 285 is provided with a male threaded shaft 289 to screwthreadingly mate with the female connector 21 of the second rod part 216b. The end of the rod 216 b can first be past via a supporting collar286 also provided on the mounting bracket 215. In the position shown,the extension rod part 216 b is securely mounted to the sucker device214 extending in side by side relationship to the fixed rod part 216 a.For operational purposes the fixed rod part 216 a extends outwardly atan inclined angle (of approximately 7 degrees). In the arrangement shownin FIG. 10a the extension rod part 216 b is not inclined at that angle,but rather extends horizontally.

The arrangement provides a convenient means for storing the extensionrod part 216 b in a configuration in which the overall size of the unitis minimised for storage or stowage. The arrangement effectivelyprovides a windscreen anchor assembly comprising a windscreen anchorsuction device 214 and an elongate support arm extending away from thewindscreen anchor device, the elongate arm being dismantle-able intopieces 216 a 216 b for stowage, the anchor device 214 and a dismantledarm part 216 b being provided with means 221 285 for attaching to oneanother for stowage.

In certain circumstances it is envisaged that means other than athreaded connection between the extension rod part 216 b and the fixedrod part 216 a may be provided, such as a bayonet fitting or other quickrelease fitting. In such circumstances the means for receiving the endof the extension rod part 216 b on the suction device mounting bracketwill correspondingly need to be adapted to provide the required secureconnection with the end of the extension rod part 216 b. Referring toFIGS. 11a to 11c it has been shown as generally similar to thearrangements shown in FIGS. 10a to 10c . However, in the arrangementshown the extension rod bracket 285 is configured and orientated toreceive the extension rod part 216 b at the inclined angle correspondingto the angle of inclination of the fixed rod part 216 a.

The apparatus has proved convenient to use and robust and alsosignificantly lighter and less expensive to manufacture than the priorart arrangements known.

The apparatus has primarily been described with a side window anchoredmount, however it will be appreciated that in its broadest scopealternative mounts could be used such as a floor mounted mount or avehicle roof mounted mount.

What is claimed is:
 1. An apparatus for use in handling a windscreen fora vehicle in conjunction with a vehicle anchor assembly that includes avehicle anchor device and a mount structure, the apparatus comprising: awindscreen anchor device; and an elongate support arm extending awayfrom the windscreen anchor device; wherein the support arm comprises arigid member of fixed length having has a first end opposite a secondend, and the support arm has a stop member proximate to the first end ofthe rigid member, wherein the stop member is sized greater than width ofthe rigid member; and wherein the windscreen anchor device isnon-movably fixed to the support arm at a fixed distance opposite thestop member, and the stop member is configured to limit a range ofsliding movement of the support arm relative to the mount structure ofthe vehicle anchor assembly between the windscreen anchor device and thestop member.
 2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: the rigidmember comprises at least two parts arranged to engage end to end. 3.The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: the support arm extendsoutwardly on opposed sides of the mount structure.
 4. The apparatusaccording to claim 1, wherein: the support arm comprises at least oneof: i) a circular cross section in the region of interaction with themount structure; and ii) a friction or resistance surface portion orformation which is arranged to resist sliding on the mount structure. 5.The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: the windscreen anchordevice comprises a suction device.
 6. A system for use in handling awindscreen for a vehicle, the system comprising: a vehicle anchorassembly that includes a vehicle anchor device and a mount structure;and a windscreen anchor assembly that includes a windscreen anchordevice and an elongate support arm extending away from the windscreenanchor device; wherein the support arm has a fixed length with a firstend opposite a second end, wherein the support arm has a stop memberproximate to the first end of the support arm, and wherein the stopmember is sized greater than width of the support arm; and wherein thewindscreen anchor device is non-movably fixed to the second end of thesupport arm at a fixed distance from the stop member, and the stopmember is configured to limit a range of sliding movement of the supportarm relative to the mount structure of the vehicle anchor assemblybetween the windscreen anchor device and the stop member.
 7. The systemaccording to claim 6, wherein: the mount structure has a configurationthat engages the support arm of the windscreen anchor assembly, whereinthe mount structure includes a yoke or saddle structure having opposedupstanding sides and an open upper portion, and wherein the mountstructure is configured for rotatable movement relative to the vehicleanchor device.
 8. The system according to claim 7, wherein: the yoke orsaddle structure has a support surface that supports the support arm andpermits the support arm to slide relative to the mount structure.
 9. Thesystem according to claim 8, wherein: the support arm and the mountstructure are configured to provide at least one of: i) rotation of thesupport arm about a rotational axis that passes through the support armwhile remaining supported in the mount structure; ii) rotation of themount structure about a rotational axis that passes through the supportsurface of the mount structure; iii) pivoting of the support arm in avertical plane about the support surface of the mount structure; and iv)the support surface is curved and permits sliding movement of thesupport erm relative to the mount structure.
 10. The system according toclaim 7, wherein: the open upper portion of the yoke or saddle structureis configured to receive the support arm as the support arm is loweredthrough the open upper portion.
 11. The system according to claim 10,wherein: the open upper portion of the yoke or saddle structure isfurther configured to permit the support arm to be lifted out of themount structure.
 12. The system according to claim 7, wherein: theopposed upstanding sides of the yoke or saddle structure are configuredto guide sliding movement of the support arm relative to the mountstructure.
 13. The system according to claim 6, wherein: the mountstructure is further configured to permit the support arm to rotate orpivot about the location of connection of the support arm to the mountstructure.
 14. The system according to claim 6, wherein: the vehicleanchor device is a side glass anchor device having a configuration thatsecures the mount assembly to side glass of the vehicle.
 15. The systemaccording to claim 14, wherein: the side glass anchor device comprises asuction device.
 16. The system according to claim 6, wherein: thevehicle anchor assembly further comprises a hub supported by the vehicleanchor device and an arm portion connected at one end to the mountstructure and at a second end to the hub, wherein the hub is configuredto permit pivoting movement of the mount structure relative to the hub.17. The system according to claim 16, wherein: the hub and arm portionare configured such that the mount structure pivots about a pivot pointoffset laterally from the mount structure.
 18. The system according toclaim 16, wherein: the vehicle anchor assembly further comprises aconnecting arm portion connected at one end to the hub and at a secondend to the vehicle anchor device.